Wasps too strong for Gloucester

Gloucester finished the season with a whimper as their faint hopes of reaching the Guinness Premiership play-offs were crushed at Adams Park.

A week after capitulating to Cardiff in the Powergen Cup final at Twickenham, their much-changed side was put to the sword by Wasps, who romped to a 34-3 bonus-point victory.

Riki Flutey crossed twice, while Tom Voyce and Simon Shaw also touched down as the champions, who had given up hope of defending their crown long ago, ended the season in positive fashion.

The only sombre note was provided by Danny Cipriani's withdrawal in some discomfort.

The England fly-half, who kicked 10 points in a flawless afternoon, hobbled from the pitch at half-time.

Gloucester and Wasps have established a compelling rivalry in recent seasons but there was little at stake with the visitors needing a minor miracle to finish in the top four.

They had already claimed a place in next season's Heineken Cup but Ian McGeechan's side must wait for the outcome of the Challenge Cup to discover if they will be involved.

Instead, the match's significance lay in all four of Wasps' Lions tourists for South Africa - among them Flutey and Shaw - emerging unscathed, while Josh Lewsey was able to enter retirement on a triumphant note.

Lewsey, a World Cup winner with England, played the 262nd and final game of a trophy-laden 13-year career with the club.